Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks at the company’s Build developer conference on May 21, 2024 in Seattle.
Jason Redmond | AFP | Getty Images
Microsoft and BlackRock It is part of a group of companies working together to raise $100 billion to develop artificial intelligence data centers and the energy infrastructure to power them.
The companies are part of the Global Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP), which is declare in a press release Tuesday. Other players include Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), an infrastructure investor that has been acquired by BlackRock, and MGX, a technology investor in the United Arab Emirates.
“We are committed to ensuring that artificial intelligence helps drive innovation and fuel growth in every sector of the economy,” said Microsoft’s CEO. Satya Nadellain the statement. He said the initiative “brings together financial and industry leaders to build the infrastructure of the future and power it in a sustainable way”.
The group aims to raise $30 billion in initial capital, with future goals of raising up to $100 billion, including debt financing.
Technology companies have been racing to build data centers NVIDIA Graphics processing unit (GPU), which can run generative AI models, such as those supporting OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot. These GPUs consume serious powerthe surge in demand has created a bottleneck for the construction of new facilities.
Microsoft’s investment comes on top of capital expenditures needed to support the expansion of its Azure public cloud infrastructure, which serves OpenAI and other artificial intelligence customers. Microsoft said in July that fourth-quarter capital expenditures, including assets acquired through financial leases, totaled $19 billion.
BlackRock in January declare It plans to acquire GIP for US$3 billion in cash and approximately 12 million shares of BlackRock common stock. BlackRock explain The deal was expected to close on October 1 last week.
MGX is roll out In March, Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala and artificial intelligence company G42 were announced as founding partners.
